Embassies and cultural institutions throughout London are currently showcasing
their countries' best design and architecture talents. The British Council's Vicky
Richardson rounds up her favourite displays.

Part of the London 2012 Festival, the International Architecture and Design Showcase 2012 sees nearly 50 of London’s embassies and cultural institutions open their doors to display the work of innovative designers and architects from their countries. Organised by the British Council, the series of events and exhibitions continues through the Olympic and Paralympic period and ends on the same date as the London Design Festival: September 23. With so much to see, Vicky Richardson, the British Council’s director of architecture, design and fashion provides her selection of ten of the best events and exhibitions taking place during this year’s showcase.

From Brazil: Lina Bo Bardi: Together

The architect Lina Bo Bardi embraced the social values of the Modernist movement, translating her ideas for a better society into a tangible reality. The Lina Bo Bardi: Together exhibition, curated by Noemi Blager examines the extraordinary work of Italian-born Bo Bardi and her influence in Brazil, the country she adopted as home.

The Villa Tugendhat in Brno, representing the modernist movement in Europe, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Designed by Mies van der Rohe in 1928-1930 the building has a chance to become an important cultural destination after years of changing functions under diverse political circumstances. Keeping the potential of the site in mind, this exhibition showcases materials from RIBA Library telling the story of the two-year restoration of the villa and placing it in context with van der Rohe’s work in Europe and America.

This exhibition shows how Kenyan architects creatively approach the issue of vitalising urban areas within a context of vibrant economy and more open, liberalised socio-political reality. The project recounts a story of the major infrastructural expansion and how it has been undertaken by urban environment planners so far.

Where: East Gallery, 29-35 West Ham Lane, Stratford E15 4PHWhen: Until August 12

The SOS-SaveOurSkills 'Projet de Tissage' picks up the ancient economic and cultural threads of cotton, Africa's 'White Gold', and its indigenous handloom weaving skills. Started in 2006, the project strives to secure the survival of these dying skills by empowering the craftsmen to progress from traditional heritage to contemporary creativity without losing their cultural identities. During the exhibition one of the master weavers will be in residence in London, working on a traditional handloom at the Printworks Trust in Brixton.

From Zimbabwe: Building Baskets: Zimbabwe Makers and Kingston University, London

Building Baskets showcases a two-year collaborative design project between the Lupane Women’s Centre – a basket-weaving enterprise that promotes the social empowerment of marginalised groups – and the Design and Business Schools of Kingston University. It presents prototypes and craft inspired by the projects of product and furniture students.

The exhibition is a project launched by Palestine Regeneration Team (PART) and is curated by Murray Fraser, Miriam Ozanne, Yara Sharif and Nassar Golzari. The Sunbird Pavilion is constructed of materials like rammed earth, fabric-formed concrete and laser-cut timer frames, which rise up to a ceiling that has been designed to mimic the presence of thousands of birds in the Palestinian skies. It’s little known that Palestine is one of the main bird-migration corridors. Inspired by the unlimited movement of those little creatures the project seeks to bring together the everyday, not-so-ordinary life of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, with the architectural projects being planned by the group. Domestically their projects propose a more vivid, liberating aesthetic for the built environment.

ANZA magazine will be in London for a two-week residency project at Allies and Morrison Architects. The programme is organized by young students and graduates from ANZA, an East African architecture magazine, and the Tanzanian High Commission in London. During the project attention will be focused on major African cities such as Kampala, Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, Kigali and Bujumbura, analyzing their organization and relations between these metropolises and their inhabitants. A series of talks, workshops and events round out the residency.

Norway is joining the Festival for the ninth time this year, showcasing both emerging and established designers together with country’s leading manufacturers. All about excellence and innovation, 100% Norway 2012 presents manufactured products and prototypes. Its aim is to introduce selected Norwegian designers to the British market and to help build awareness of Norwegian design internationally. Wallpaper’s editor-at-large Henrietta Thompson and Benedicte Sunde are the curators.

From Peru: Lima Pop-Up: Social Interfaces for the Emerging Infrastructure in Lima

This Peruvian exhibition is dedicate to a topic currently occupying the residents of Lima: How will the city’s new public transport projects integrate with the existing infrastructure of the capital? Showcasing a visual documentation of architectural projects, this contribution introduces diverse perspectives from a community of professionals, academics and students.

Every September Open House London gives an opportunity to explore the city’s amazing architecture, with hundreds of architecturally significant buildings opening their doors to the public. This year’s Open House London will include a special Embassies and High Commissions showcase to demonstrate the value of good architecture to communities, both at home and internationally. It takes place on the closing weekend of the International Showcase 2012.